The father of a Caddo Mills 15-year-old has sent an official complaint to the Texas Education Agency about the treatment his son received from the Caddo Mills High School principal.
The Caddo Mills school board has called a special meeting Wednesday evening to discuss principal Brian McKamy's employment in a closed session.
The TEA complaint alleges that Mr. McKamy repeatedly harassed Jay Walden before finally paddling him Nov. 7. The spanking left Jay's buttocks bruised and covered in welts.
"We're taking the steps that we think we need to take to make sure this principal doesn't do this to another child," said the Walden family's attorney, Rhonda Cates. "We're not asking for anything in particular. We just want justice to be done.
"Hopefully [the TEA] will take this as seriously as we have."
Mr. McKamy declined to comment Monday on the TEA complaint and has said he can't talk about the incident.
Mr. Walden alleges that Mr. McKamy paddled Jay for coming to school with holes in his pants, in violation of the student dress code – even though Jay had changed his pants before school started for the day.
Mr. Walden also alleges that the school should have notified him before Jay was paddled. Jay's noncustodial mother gave consent for the paddling instead, he said. Mr. Walden has characterized the paddling as physical abuse.
Caddo Mills ISD Superintendent Vicki Payne has declined to comment on the case. The school district's attorney, Dennis Eichelbaum, said federal law prohibits him from commenting on student discipline matters, but he believes that school staff followed proper procedures.
The TEA gives school officials 45 days after they are notified of a complaint to resolve the allegations before taking action. As part of the state's complaint protocol, Ms. Cates sent a copy of the complaint by certified mail to Mr. McKamy and Ms. Payne on Saturday.
If the TEA review committee supports the complaint, Mr. McKamy could receive a restriction or reprimand on the state certificate that allows him to teach and be a school administrator. The certificate could be suspended or revoked.
If the committee dismisses the complaint, the Waldens could file an appeal. Ms. Cates said the Waldens probably would appeal if that happens.
Mr. Walden also filed a criminal complaint with the Caddo Mills Police Department last week, accusing Mr. McKamy of assault. A city attorney acting as a spokesman for the Police Department said an investigation is ongoing.
"We're not out to ruin [Mr. McKamy's] life," Ms. Cates said. "He was wrong, and he's never been contrite about it."
